Bible Commentaries
Acts 16

Verses 1-5

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas The main point of Acts 16:1-5 is the account of Timothy joining Paul and Silas while they were ministering in Derbe and Lystra.

Acts 16:1 Comments - Timothy’s mother was a Christian. The Greek reads, “a Jewish woman of faith.”

Acts 16:3 Comments - Timothy had to forsake family and friends in order to follow Jesus. He was circumcised so that he would be more readily accepted by the Jews.

Acts 16:5 Comments - What made the church become established in the faith and grow in number? Verse 4 says that they received the Word of God and kept the word, “they delivered them the decrees for to keep.”

Verses 1-40

The Witness of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (A.D. 51-54) In Acts 15:36 to Acts 18:22 we have the testimony of Paul’s second missionary journey.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. Paul and Barnabas Split Up Acts 15:36-41

2. Timothy Joins Paul and Silas Acts 16:1-5

3. Paul at Philippi Acts 16:6-40

4. Paul in Thessalonica Acts 17:1-9

5. Paul in Berea Acts 17:10-15

6. Paul in Athens Acts 17:16-34

7. Paul in Corinth Acts 18:1-17

8. Paul Returns to Antioch Acts 18:18-22

Verses 6-10

The Macedonian Call In Acts 16:6-10 Luke records Paul’s vision of a man calling him to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Macedonian. This event is popularly called “The Macedonian Call.” Paul’s original intent on his second missionary journey was to strengthen the churches that he had planted in Asia Minor on his first missionary journey (Acts 15:36). He had no idea that God would lead him into Europe and beyond. Kenneth Hagin teaches how God will often give us a divine encounter in order to strengthen us for the journey that lies ahead. [213] This encounter becomes a source of strength that we can lean upon during difficult day ahead. We can draw strength from that divine experience for difficult times to come. This vision gave Paul direction and assurance (Acts 16:10 “assuredly”) that he was in God’s will despite the hardships that lay ahead. Paul and his companions certainly faced persecutions when founding his first churches in Macedonia. He stood strong knowing that God had supernaturally spoken to him to go into Macedonia. Paul could lean upon this vision for strength in the days and months ahead assured that he was in the will of God despite the persecutions.

[213] Kenneth Hagin, Following God’s Plan For Your Life (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Faith Library Publications, c1993, 1994), 118.

Acts 15:36, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.”

Paul’s call to Macedonia was the open door that brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ into Europe. Although the church at Rome has been established earlier, Paul’s journey into Macedonia was the first effort to evangelize Europe and lay a foundation for these early churches to become established, and later spread across Europe. Of all the major places on earth where Christianity spread during the early centuries, the people of Europe embraced the Gospel most readily. The Middle East was soon overran by Islam and forced into human traditions and bondages, keeping their societies in a primitive state of social development until modern times. Neither did the African and Asian continents embrace Christianity on a large enough scale to transform their societies. Only in Europe did Christianity become rooted in their society so as to transform the people’s moral fiber, leading the way to modern civilization as we know it today. Although the European governments and churches leaders would corrupt the teachings of the Gospel through Roman Catholicism and other Orthodox sects, the light of the Gospel would shine through the Dark Ages and explode into the hearts of men during the Reformation. This explosion of Christianity led men into the period called the Renaissance, where men were free to expand their knowledge through inventions and modern sciences. This explosion of knowledge led to a modern civilization that practiced the Christian faith in nations like Germany, Britain and the United States. This environment of human development combined with Christian values allowed Europe to become the major portal, or gateway, of human achievement in many aspects of life, while much of the world lay bound in primitive superstitions and witchcraft. Paul’s Macedonian call was the doorway to transforming Europe and the world with Christianity.

Many parts of the world are saying, “Come.” We need a vision in order to go.

Acts 16:6 “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia” Comments - What did the districts of Phrygia and Galatia have in common? Ancient Roman history tells us that groups of the Gauls from France made their way eastward conquering marauding through the land. A large group of them eventually settled in the north central region of Asia Minor after having disposed the Phrygians, who were the ancient inhabitants of this land. Although overcome by the Gauls, who later became known as “Gallo-Graecians,” or Galatians, these Phrygians still inhabited portions of their ancestral land and had learned to co-exist with their ancient conquerors.

Acts 16:6 “and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia” - Comments - Note Paul's comment years later to Timothy about the region of Asia.

2 Timothy 1:15, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me ; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.”

Acts 16:6 Comments - Paul was close to Asia. Man’s reason would lead them this way, but God had different plan.

Acts 16:7 Comments - Again, the Holy Spirit says, “No”. The Holy Spirit must lead us in the work of the ministry.

Acts 16:9 Comments - The Scriptures tell us that the Lord has a voice that we can hear (John 10:27).

John 10:27, “ My sheep hear my voice , and I know them, and they follow me:”

Time and again in the Scriptures, the Lord spoke to His servants.

Genesis 22:9, “ And they came to the place which God had told him of ; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.”

Acts 9:11, “ And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,”

Acts 22:10, “And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.”

Acts 16:10 Comments - Acts 16:10 begins the first of several “we” passages in which we know the writer of the book of Acts was with Paul on the journey. We know that Silas had begun the journey with Paul (Acts 15:40) and that Timothy had joined them at Derbe and Lystra (Acts 16:1-3). From this verse in Acts 16:10 we can conclude that Luke joined this team as they crossed the Aegean Sea into Macedonia.

Acts 16:10 Comments - It is important to note that after Paul had seen the vision, those who were under his leadership became a part of his calling, for they said, “assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach…” They identified their calling by following their leader’s calling. A leader’s vision should define the calling of those who are set under him.

Verses 6-40

Paul at Philippi Acts 16:6-40 records Paul's work in the city of Philippi. Luke gives us three incidents of Paul’s work in Philippi to illustrate how God was confirming Paul’s ministry and decision to go over into Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10): the story of the conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:11-15), the casting out of a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16-18) and their miraculous deliverance from prison and conversion of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:19-40). These three stories reveal how Paul’s ministry touched the lives of all social levels. The jailer was perhaps of military status and a Roman citizen, while Lydia was of the working class and the Greek female slave who was delivered from a demonic spirit of divination was of the lowest class.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Macedonian Call Acts 16:6-10

2. The Conversion of Lydia Acts 16:11-15

3. Paul Cast into Prison and Miraculously Delivered Acts 16:16-40

Paul’s Affection Towards the Philippians - Paul wrote his most affectionate letter to the church at Philippi and they became his most avid supporter, especially through their sacrificial financial contributions. Everywhere Paul went, he commended the Philippian church for their labor of love (2 Corinthians 8:1-6).

2 Corinthians 8:1, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;”

Verses 11-15

The Conversion of Lydia In Acts 16:11-15 Luke records the conversion of Lydia.

Acts 16:11 Comments - This is the first time that the first person plural verb is used in the book of Acts. So Luke is with them now on the missionary journey.

Acts 16:12 “And from thence to Philippi” - Comments - The city of Philippi was named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, because he re-founded this ancient city. [214] Paul first visited Philippi during his second missionary journey about A.D. 50 after receiving in a vision what we have labeled as the “Macedonian Call.” Paul immediately left Asia and sailed from Troas to Europe. He and his companions landed at Neapolis and embarked upon the famous Egnatian Way that connected the western Empire to the East. From Neapolis they headed ten miles inland over the coastal range to the city of Philippi.

[214] Diodorus of Sicily writes, “Thence he [Philip II] marched to Cremides, which he enlarged, and made more populous, and called it after his own name, Philippi.” ( Bibliotheca Historica 16.2) See The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian in Fifteen Books, trans. G. Booth, vol. 2 (London: J. Davis, 1814), 85; Appian writes, “Philippi is a city that was formerly called Datus, and before that Crenides, because there are many springs bubbling around a hill there. Philip fortified it because he considered it an excellent stronghold against the Thracians, and named it from himself, Philippi.” ( Civil Wars 4.105) See Appian’s Roman History, trans. Horace White, in The Loeb Classical Library, eds. T. E. Page, E. Capps, and W. H. D. Rouse (London: William Heinemann, 1961), 315.

Acts 16:12 “and a colony” Comments - As a colony, Philippi held a political advantage to its neighboring cities. A Roman colony was simply a military outpost used to protect the Empire as well as “Romanize” the region in which it was located. It was the only Roman colony in the province of Macedonia. In return for this service from the citizens of a colony, its inhabitants held special privileges, such as immunity from taxes, an autonomous government and Roman citizenship. JFB says, “A colony was in fact a portion of Rome itself transplanted to the provinces…a portrait of the mother city.” [215]

[215] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians, in A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, in e-Sword, v. 7.7.7 [CD-ROM] (Franklin, Tennessee: e-Sword, 2000-2005), “Introduction”; JFB cites Aulus Gellius, who writes, “But colonies stand in another relationship: they have no footing in the state from any extrinsic right, nor do they claim it by their origin, but they are as it were offsprings of the state, and are of necessity subject to the laws and institutes of the Romans; which condition, though it be more exposed and less free, is yet deemed more desirable and respectable, on account of the amplitude and majesty of the Roman people, of which these colonies seem to be little copies and resemblances, and because the privileges of municipalities become obscure and obliterated from their ignorance of their proper claims.” ( The Attic Nights 16.13) See The Attic Nights of Aulus Gellius, vol. 3, trans. W. Beloe (London: J. Johnson, 1795), 241.

Acts 16:13 Comments - Paul and his travelling companions went where the Holy Spirit led them. This Sabbath must have been a true confirmation of God's leadership, being many miles from home. I believe the riverside was chosen because of its quiet and tranquil beauty, thus being a place of meditation.

Acts 16:13 Scripture Reference - Note:

Psalms 127:1, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

Acts 16:14 “whose heart the Lord opened” - Comments - We need to pray that God would open our hearts to His Word.

Acts 16:14 Comments - Philip Schaff says, “Thyatira (now Akhissar), in the valley of Lycus in Asia Minor, was famous for its dying works, especially for purple or crimson.” (see Strabo, Geography 13.4.14). [216] Schaff says that an inscription found in this place verifies that a guild of purple-dealers existed. Lydia could have belonged to this same guild. [217]

[216] Strabo says, “The water at Hierapolis is remarkably adapted also to the dyeing of wool, so that wool dyed with the roots rivals that dyed with the coccus or with the marine purple.” See The Geography of Strabo, vol. 6, trans. Horace Leonard Jones, in The Loeb Classical Library, eds. T. E. Page, E. Capps, and W. H. D. Rouse (London: William Heinemann, 1928), 189.

[217] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 1: Apostolic Christianity A.D. 1-100 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955), 735.

Acts 16:15 Comments - There were house churches in the New Testament. The common meeting places for the early churches were in the homes of those members who were wealthy or able to accommodate them. Thus, at Colossi the congregation met in the house of Philemon (Philemon 1:2). At Ephesus the congregation initially met in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9) before later meeting in the house of Aquila and Prisca (1 Corinthians 16:19, Romans 16:5). At Corinth the church met initially in the house of Justus (Acts 18:7), and later in the house of Gaius, as the congregation grew in number (Romans 16:23). At Laodicea one congregation met in the house of Nympha (Colossians 4:15). In Philippi the early believers probably met in the house of Lydia (Acts 16:15). In Thessalonica the first converts probably met in the house of Jason (Acts 17:5). This was the way Jesus Christ commanded His disciples in Matthew 10:11-13 to find a place of rest during their travels, by staying in the homes of those who received their message.

Matthew 10:11-13, “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.”

After someone is born-again, a desire for fellowship with other believers is one fruit of a new believer.

Verses 16-40

Paul Cast into Prison and Miraculously Delivered In Acts 16:16-18 Paul casts out a spirit of divination and is arrested for this event and cast into prison. At midnight the Lord miraculously delivers Paul from prison.

Acts 16:16-17 Comments Satan Fights Against the Word of God - The devil comes to battle the work of God.

Acts 16:18 Comments - In one of the major visions that Kenneth Hagin experienced in his life, the Lord Jesus used the story of the girl possessed with a spirit of divination to teach him the important of casting out demons by the Spirit of God. [218] This story is told within the context of a chapter in his book The Authority of the Believer in which Hagin explains that a believer has authority over Satan any time, but he does not have authority over the will of other people. Each person must choose to be set free from the powers of darkness. Jesus explained that this girl followed Paul and Silas around Philippi for “many days” crying, “These men are the servants of the most high God.” Jesus Christ asked Hagin, “Do you know why Paul did not deal with that spirit the first day?” Hagin replied, “No, I really don’t. I’ve wondered about it. Why didn’t Paul, an apostle, a man of God, a man of authority, just take authority over that evil spirit the first day?” Jesus said, “He had to wait for the manifestation of the Spirit; he had to wait until the Spirit of God gave him discerning of spirits.”

[218] Kenneth Hagin, The Believer’s Authority (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Faith Library Publications, c1984, 1992), 58.

We can cast Satan out of our lives and out of our home anytime we choose because we have authority over him 24-hours a day. But we must be led by the Spirit when casting demons out of others. We must operate with a word of knowledge or discerning of spirits like Paul, or this person must be willing to be delivered.

Acts 16:21 Comments - Notice that these magistrates said that they were “Romans” and not Greeks. This is because Philippi held a unique position in the Roman Empire as a Roman colony. As a Roman colony, the city of Philippi held a political advantage to its neighboring cities. A Roman colony was simply a military outpost used to protect the Empire as well as “Romanize” the region in which it was located. It was the only Roman colony in the province of Macedonia. In return for this service from the citizens of a colony, its inhabitants held special privileges, such as immunity from taxes, an autonomous government and Roman citizenship. When Paul visited this city, he found the majority of inhabitants being Greek, with a large group of Roman colonists and magistrates who dominated the city and a much smaller group of Jews who apparently gained little voice in this community. The Romans worshipped the Emperor, believing him to be a god. The Gospel goes against the worship of Caesar and therefore causes strife in the city. Note:

Acts 17:7, “Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar , saying that there is another king, one Jesus.”

Acts 16:22 Comments - Acts 16:22 is a fulfillment of Psalms 2:0.

Acts 16:22 Comments - Paul waits until Acts 16:37 to discuss his confession of Roman citizenship.

Acts 16:23 “And when they had laid many stripes upon them” - Comments The beating was severe.

Acts 16:22-23 Comments Other References to Paul in Philippi - Note passages in other epistles where Paul refers to this event:

Philippians 1:30, “Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

1 Thessalonians 2:2, “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

Acts 16:25 Comments The church needs to be praying at all times. We are not to be overcome by circumstances, but we are to soar like eagles. God’s demonstration of power is coming up in a few verses.

Psalms 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”

Acts 16:25 Scripture Reference - Note:

James 5:13, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”

Acts 16:26 “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken” - Comments - This is the result of praise. It was a great earthquake, not a minor one.

Acts 16:26 “and immediately all the doors were opened” Comments - Note a verse figurative of this deliverance.

Revelation 3:8, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it : for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

Acts 16:26 “and every one's bands were loosed” - Comments - Jesus came to set the captives free. This verse illustrates God’s salvation. Even the prisoners were set free.

Acts 16:26 Comments - The story of Paul's deliverance from prison in this chapter demonstrates the power of prayer. This church was a people of prayer (Acts 16:13).

Acts 16:13, “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.”

Note also in Acts 5:19 that the angel of the Lord delivered Peter from prison.

Acts 5:19, “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,”

When Peter was miraculously delivered from prison in Acts 12:7, the church was praying for him (Acts 12:5).

Acts 12:7, “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

Acts 12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

God still gives visions, casts our demons, sends earthquakes and saves households. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Note:

Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Acts 16:25-26 Comments Praise Sets the Captive Free - This story illustrations a type of salvation. When we praise God, He sets the captives free.

Note that Paul and Silas were led of the Spirit into Philippi. They, as leaders, received the greater persecution, instead of Lydia and her friends.

See:

Acts 9:16, “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.”

Acts 16:27 “he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself” - Comments - Why would the jailer want to kill himself? He was facing a death sentence for letting the prisoners escape. When Peter escapes in Acts 12:18-19, the guards are put to death. The only way to stop corruption and bribery in a corrupt society was the penalty of death. Therefore, the guards were threatened with the sentence of death with the escape of prisoners.

Acts 12:18-19, “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death . And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.”

Acts 16:29 Comments - The jailer now fears God.

Acts 16:30 Comments - The jailer now has a new attitude, and sees himself as a sinner. Note a similar cry at Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:37, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ”

Acts 16:31 Comments Notice that Paul did not tell the keeper of the prison to confess his sins and to ask Jesus to come into his heart in order to be saved. A sinner cannot remember all of his sins in such a confession. Instead, the confession is to declare one’s faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ, to acknowledge His lordship over one’s life. This yielding to God in acknowledgement of His Word and work in redemption is man’s role in salvation. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, saying, “For by grace are ye saved through faith.” (Eoh Acts 2:8) God made His grace available to mankind through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Man’s role is to place his faith and trust in this work of atonement, and to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, as God manifested in the flesh, our Savior. Thus, a person may believe that Jesus Christ was born and lived in history, as to other religions; but this will not save him. He must entrust himself to God based upon the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Household Salvation - God can save entire households. This is illustrated in the stories of Noah, Lot, Joseph, and Rahab. It is seen in the first Passover, when the angel Passover every home where the blood was applied, saving all members of that household from judgment.

Exodus 12:22-23, “And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”

We read in the book of Acts how the household of Lydia and the Philippian jailer, as well as the household of Cornelius, were also saved.

Acts 16:15, “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Cornelius in Acts 10:44-48

It is difficult for us in the western culture to understand household salvation. This is because we as individuals are much less bound to our relationships as a family. But my wife’s family, who are Filipinos demonstrated household salvation when her father became a Muslim for a few years. The only member of this family that did not covert was my wife, and that was because we were married. She later brought them back to Jesus Christ, but it was a family decision although the father made the decision. We see in the households of Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer and Stephanas that their households followed in the faith “from their hearts” in this collective decision to follow Christ. It means that they all gave their lives to Jesus Christ together and were genuinely saved, something that would rarely happen in the more independent Western cultures.

Acts 16:33 “and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” - Comments - Baptism comes immediately after salvation in the book of Acts.

Acts 16:33 Comments - Salvation brings a change. Note the change in Lydia's heart in verse 15.

Acts 16:14-15, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

Acts 16:34 Comments - The entire family is filled with joy.

Acts 16:37 Comments - God promises His children that when they are delivered over to governors and kings, He will give us the words to speak (Matthew 10:18-19). They did not seem to have much of an opportunity to speak in Acts 16:22 when they were first beaten and taken to prison taken. At his release, Paul is given the opportunity to speak. Perhaps Paul did not tell the city leaders that he was a Roman before his arrest because God knew the jailer would be saved. Perhaps God hid this wisdom from Paul and gave it to him at his release.

Matthew 10:18-19, “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.”

Acts 16:22, “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.”

Paul could have confessed his Roman citizenship in verse 22 when he was first taken and beaten, but he did not do it. Why? Because God’s name would not have been glorified until after the miraculous deliverance. Paul's suffering was for God’s namesake (Acts 9:16). God received the glory and honor in this event. As the persecution increased, God’s power was demonstrated and exploded suddenly. Paul and Silas, entered into the manifestation of God’s mighty power by much trial and tribulation and suffering.

Acts 9:16, “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake .”

Paul did acknowledge his citizenship when he was taken prisoner in Acts 22:25. This acknowledgement would bring him before Caesar.

Acts 22:25, “And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

Acts 16:38 Comments - The city now falls into the fear of God and his people, Paul and Silas. God was at work in the city.

Acts 16:40 “and entered into the house of Lydia” - Comments - Why did they return to Lydia's house? Matthew 10:11, “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

Acts 16:40 “they comforted them” - Comments - This is an example of the members of the body of Christ doing their job well.

2 Corinthians 1:4-6, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”

Acts 16:40 “and departed” - Comments - Jesus is their example:

When a city asked Jesus to leave, He then left:

Matthew 8:34, “And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.”

Jesus tells his disciples to do the same.

Matthew 10:14, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”